Arlington Selectmen Suspend Common Ground's Liquor License for Underage Service Violation

ARLINGTON, MA—Common Ground, located at 319 Broadway in Arlington, had its liquor license suspended again during the June 6 meeting of the Arlington Board of Selectmen. 

During the meeting, Arlington's Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to suspend the restaurant's liquor license for 17 days, due to allegations of the restaurant serving a minor alcohol without asking for identification. Common Ground's appearance before the Selectmen for a second infraction automatically triggered a 14-day suspension decided at a Dec. 7 hearing, and a three-day suspension of the license was handed down for the current infraction. 

Common Ground owner Bob O'Guin stated that bartender who made the sale another manager on site at the time of the infraction were let go by the restaurant. Another manager left on his own accord. 

Common Ground also had no previous violations for underage service on record, according to Arlington Town Counsel Douglas Heim. 

O'Guin also stated that Common Ground would serve the two suspensions consecutively, and that the restaurant would close during the time of the suspension, which is to be served within six week's of the board's final written decision. 

The Board of Selectmen levied a three-day penalty against Common Ground on Dec. 7 after Arlington resident James McLaughlin crashed his car into a tree in the Pleasant Street area, carrying two other passengers who had been drinking at Common Ground. McLaughlin died as a result of the crash. 

Police reports indicated that police arrived at Common Ground at approximately 11:30 p.m. on January 23 for help with a problematic customer. Police later determined through his credit card information that the customer was 20 years old.

Inspector Edward DeFrancisco stated at the hearing that the man came in with two friends and were served two beers each. The two friends later left Common Ground, and DeFrancisco stated that there was also broken glass in the bathroom, and the restaurant later refused to serve the further. 

Police reports indicate that the bartender believed the three customers to be in their 30s, which is the reasoning he gave for not checking their identification. 

Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan also attended the hearing to voice his concerns about the restaurants practices. Common Ground's lawyer John Leone and owner Bobo O'Guin did not deny that the minor was served, and accepted the blame for the minor being served. 

Heim expected the final decision to arrive by June 20, meaning the suspension would begin within six weeks of that decision.